[spucktacular]

Fellow X4 owners,

I have a 2016 X4 35i M package (with sport suspension, non DHP sadly, with variable sport steering) I bought a few months ago. The car was riding on 19" all-season run-flats but now has 18" with Hakka 8 winter NON-runflats.

The car is EXTREMELY sensitive to steering input at high speed (70mph +) not to mention really sensitive to cross-winds. It feels jumpy and sometimes hard to keep in with even moderate cross winds, to the point that other drivers probably think I'm drinking and driving... it's a little frustrating.

I've also noticed the car has a fairly aggressive negative-camber setup on both front and back wheels and I can swear the front toe has the front wheels pointing slightly away from each other (ie, not perfectly parallel). My other car is a 8 year old E90 335xi (non-sport suspension) that's very forgiving at high speed, it stays in line considerably better.

Is this normal steering characteristics for x3/x4s with M sport suspensions, particularly because of the variable sport steering? A problem with my suspension alignment or maybe due to non-runflat tires? I installed winter tires the day I bought the car, so I didn't have a chance to drive the stock 19" run-flats for more than 10 minutes to know if it is due to the tire change.

Anyone going from an E90 > F25/F26 experience anything similar?

[bichoo]

I think its your winter tires rather than alignment, especially if you noticed the issue right after you put the winters on. Your Hakka 8 are also studded right? I could guess that the studded tire is added to the issue?

You can also always get an alignment check done or talk to the dealer to get their input. I know that the X4 alignment specs are not square, hence why you are seeing the slight negative camber and toe out. I doubt the alignment was off from the factory when you got your car, making me think its a tire issue.

To give you my experience (I have a 2016 X3 msport) is that every year when I swap out to my winters, Michelin X-Ice non-run flat, I feel the over sensitivity, but not to the extent you are describing. I strongly believe it is due to the non-run flat, non performance winter tire that is causing the issue. To add to this is the sport steering that is more sensitive. My previous 2013 x3 had regular steering and only noticed a slight increase in steering sensitivity with winters.

[Tjalle]

I did not come from E90 but from SAAB 9000 Turbo, and was disappointed with steering and windsensitivity - all performance goodies and 20".

After lowering (H&R) things got much better, but vehicle is not as stable with studded Conti Ice Contact- non RFT:s. 18".

There are no INFO in these threads that going to RFT:s will improve antyhing

[ctdw]

I have noticed both as well...I put winter performance tires (Blizzak) on a day after getting the car in December so I am curious to see if I notice a difference when the Michelin PSS 20's and original wheels go back on the car in April.

[FSociety]

I can report i have no issues on my X4M40 on MPSS (stock) 20s and my current Conti DWS06. I was just out in mexico this past weekend with some X5M, 335gt, 435, m235 cruising and doing 0-140mph test. Car was planted and i would of done more if it wasn't windy

[Tjalle]

ctdw, you will.

[bichoo]

Originally Posted by FSociety

I can report i have no issues on my X4M40 on MPSS (stock) 20s and my current Conti DWS06. I was just out in mexico this past weekend with some X5M, 335gt, 435, m235 cruising and doing 0-140mph test. Car was planted and i would of done more if it wasn't windy

How much inferior do you find the DWS06 compared to the MPSS? And in what way?

[FSociety]

Originally Posted by bichoo

How much inferior do you find the DWS06 compared to the MPSS? And in what way?

Can't say yet since I've only driven the DWS06 in winter and 60F thus far.
But it is much more confident in the highway/rain than the MPSS was in the rain/summer time.